Navigating the world of work and careers requires a robust vocabulary. This isn’t only about communicating effectively at the workplace, but also about how you articulate your professional experiences and ambitions in essays, applications, and interviews.
In this post, we will explore 20 work and career-related vocabulary words that can help elevate your writing and conversations.
Table Of Contents
1. Occupation (noun)
Pronunciation: /ok-yuh-pey-shuhn/
Definition:
A person’s usual or principal work or business
Example:
His occupation as a mechanic provides a steady income for his family.
2. Part-time (adjective)
Pronunciation: /pa:rt-tahym/
Definition:
Working or involving fewer hours than is considered standard
Example:
She decided to switch to a part-time job to spend more time with her family.
3. Freelance (adjective)
Pronunciation: /free-lance/
Definition:
Self-employed and hired to work for different companies on particular assignments
Example:
As a freelance writer, she appreciates the flexibility and creative control.
4. Salary (noun)
Pronunciation: /sal-uh-ree/
Definition:
A fixed regular payment, typically paid monthly or biweekly, made by an employer to an employee
Example:
The salary for the position was competitive and came with benefits.
5. Promotion (noun)
Pronunciation: /pruh-moh-shuhn/
Definition:
Advancement in an employee’s rank or position in an organizational hierarchy
Example:
After years of hard work, he finally received a well-deserved promotion.
6. Internship (noun)
Pronunciation: /in-tern-ship/
Definition:
A temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment
Example:
Her summer internship at the law firm was a valuable learning experience.
7. Colleague (noun)
Pronunciation: /kol-eeg/
Definition:
A person with whom one works, especially in a profession or business
Example:
He introduced me to his colleagues at the office.
8. Resign (verb)
Pronunciation: /ri-zahyn/
Definition:
Voluntarily leave a job or office
Example:
She decided to resign from her position due to personal reasons.
9. Portfolio (noun)
Pronunciation: /pohrt-foh-lee-oh/
Definition:
A range of investments held by a person or organization
Example:
He has an impressive portfolio of projects he completed over the years.
10. Employee (noun)
Pronunciation: /em-ploi-ee/
Definition:
A person employed for wages or salary, especially at nonexecutive level
Example:
The company appreciates the hard work and dedication of its employees.
11. Management (noun)
Pronunciation: /man-ij-muhnt/
Definition:
The process of dealing with or controlling things or people
Example:
Good management is key to a successful business.
12. Telecommuting (verb)
Pronunciation: /tel-uh-kuh-myooting/
Definition:
Work from home, making use of the Internet, email, and the telephone
Example:
Telecommuting has become more popular due to the pandemic.
13. Recruitment (noun)
Pronunciation: /ri-kroot-muhnt/
Definition:
The action of enlisting new people in the armed forces
Example:
The recruitment process for the job was rigorous and detailed.
14. Workplace (noun)
Pronunciation: /wurk-pleys/
Definition:
A place where people work, such as an office or factory
Example:
The new workplace has a friendly and inviting environment.
15. Entrepreneur (noun)
Pronunciation: /ahn-truh-pruh-nur/
Definition:
A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so
Example:
As an entrepreneur, he has started several successful online businesses.
16. Skillset (noun)
Pronunciation: /skil-set/
Definition:
A person’s range of skills or abilities
Example:
Her skillset makes her an ideal candidate for the job.
17. Unemployed (adjective)
Pronunciation: /uhn-em-ploid/
Definition:
Without a paid job but available to work
Example:
The city’s unemployed are finding it tough to make ends meet.
18. Retire (verb)
Pronunciation: /ri-tahyr/
Definition:
Leave one’s job and cease to work, typically upon reaching the normal age for leaving service
Example:
He plans to retire next year and travel the world.
19. Compensation (noun)
Pronunciation: /kom-puhn-sey-shuhn/
Definition:
Money awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering
Example:
The company offers generous compensation for overtime work.
20. Workaholic (noun)
Pronunciation: /wurk-uh-haw-lik/
Definition:
A person who compulsively works excessively hard and long hours
Example:
He has become a workaholic, spending every weekend at the office.
Mastering this vocabulary is an important step in conveying your professional life with nuance and sophistication. Beyond these 20 terms, there are many more out there waiting for you to discover them.
Continue to explore, learn, and always be open to new vocabulary. As you become comfortable with these terms, they will naturally enrich your language use, especially in professional settings.
Consistent practice is the key, so keep writing and expanding your vocabulary.
